{"id":23856,"date":"2025-07-09T09:53:07","date_gmt":"2025-07-09T09:53:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ancnews.info\/?p=23856"},"modified":"2025-07-09T09:53:11","modified_gmt":"2025-07-09T09:53:11","slug":"standing-room-only-capitol-hill-briefing-expands-u-s-support-for-the-return-of-armenian-christians-to-artsakh","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ancnews.info\/?p=23856","title":{"rendered":"Standing-Room-Only Capitol Hill Briefing Expands U.S. Support for the Return of Armenian Christians to Artsakh"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Over 200 Congressional staffers, human rights advocates, and policy professionals attended today\u2019s panel discussion on the recently launched Swiss Peace Initiative<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 <\/strong>A standing-room-only audience of over 200 Congressional staffers, human rights advocates, and policy professionals gathered on Capitol Hill today for a Congressional briefing on the recently launched Swiss Peace Initiative for Nagorno-Karabakh \u2013 a global initiative to facilitate the collective, protected return of Artsakh\u2019s (Nagorno Karabakh) forcibly displaced Armenian Christians to their ancestral homes, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Swiss Parliamentarians Erich Vontobel (Federal Democratic Union) and Lukas Reimann (Swiss People\u2019s Party), Christian Solidarity International (CSI) President Dr. John Eibner, and former Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian led the panel discussion, which was opened by Mark Milosch, Congressional Staff Director for Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ), the Co-Chair of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission.&nbsp; Following presentations by each of these four experts on the legal, diplomatic, and humanitarian dimensions of Artsakh Armenians\u2019 right of return, ANCA Policy Director Alex Galitsky moderated a robust question and answer session.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/ancnews.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/070825_crowdshot_IMG_20250708_153722033_HDR-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-23858\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ancnews.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/070825_crowdshot_IMG_20250708_153722033_HDR-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/ancnews.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/070825_crowdshot_IMG_20250708_153722033_HDR-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/ancnews.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/070825_crowdshot_IMG_20250708_153722033_HDR-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/ancnews.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/070825_crowdshot_IMG_20250708_153722033_HDR-580x436.jpg 580w, https:\/\/ancnews.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/070825_crowdshot_IMG_20250708_153722033_HDR.jpg 1476w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cA real peace, one that endures, cannot be forced upon Armenia at the point of a gun \u2013 at the expense of human rights, international law, and the indigenous Armenian population of Artsakh,\u201d stated Aram Hamparian, Executive Director of the ANCA. \u201cThe terms of the fake peace currently being pushed on Yerevan \u2013 little more than terms of unilateral Armenian surrender demanded by a genocidal Azerbaijan under threat of renewed attacks &#8211; must be rejected, and a new peace forged \u2013 one ensures the safe return of Artsakh\u2019s indigenous Armenians to their homeland.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Congressional briefing was live webcast on ANCA and CSI social media channels and is available here:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"Swiss Peace Initiative for Nagorno Karabakh\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/lSYqvNvWs64?start=75&#038;feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><u>The Swiss Peace Initiative: From Promise to Platform<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&nbsp;The Swiss Peace Initiative fro Nagorno-Karabakh was launched in early 2025 following the bipartisan adoption of Motion 24.4259 by both chambers of the Swiss Federal Assembly. The measure directs the Swiss government to convene an international forum for dialogue between Azerbaijani officials and representatives of the forcibly displaced population of Artsakh. The initiative is grounded in Switzerland\u2019s longstanding role as a neutral facilitator of peace processes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><u>Genocidal Ethnic Cleansing and International Response<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In 2023, Azerbaijan imposed a ten-month blockade on Nagorno-Karabakh, cutting off food, medicine, and humanitarian aid before launching a military assault in September that displaced over 120,000 Armenian civilians. The operation was widely condemned as an act of ethnic cleansing and genocide. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued a binding order in November 2023 requiring Azerbaijan to guarantee the right of safe and unhindered return, while the European Parliament and Swiss lawmakers have passed measures affirming this legal and moral obligation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><u>Erich Vontobel: A Promise Made in Armenia<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Swiss MP Erich Vontobel, the founding co-chair of the forum, recounted the origins of the Swiss peace initiative as a personal commitment he made to Artsakh refugees he met during a 2024 visit to Armenia. \u201cOne woman showed me a video of her former house \u2014 now occupied by another family. That sight broke my heart. That\u2019s when I knew: I must and want to act. I promised her \u2014 and the refugees \u2014 that I would.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Vontobel emphasized the neutral and inclusive nature of the proposed forum: \u201cThe Swiss Peace Initiative offers the U.S. a chance to support peace \u2014 without taking on direct risk. We in Switzerland are neutral and have the necessary expertise and credibility to organize this peace forum. What we need now is broad international support \u2014 above all, from the United States.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><u>Lukas Reimann: Legal Mandate for Justice<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Swiss MP Lukas Reimann, a leading member of the parliamentary initiative, stressed that Azerbaijan\u2019s actions violate binding international law and humanitarian norms. \u201cThe expulsion of the Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians is a serious violation of international humanitarian law. The Swiss Foreign Ministry explicitly lists \u2018attacks against the civilian population\u2019 and the \u2018unlawful expulsion of the civilian population\u2019 as war crimes on its website on international humanitarian law.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He emphasized the key role the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) can play, noting that Switzerland will chair the body in 2026: \u201cThe United States can help revitalize the [OSCE] Minsk Group and ensure that it contributes to the return of the forcibly displaced persons to their homeland. That\u2019s what is required for a lasting peace,\u201d stated Reimann.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><u>Dr. John Eibner: Reversing Ethno-Religious Cleansing<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dr. John Eibner, President of Christian Solidarity International (CSI), described the ethnic cleansing as the culmination of deliberate policies to starve and terrorize a civilian population. \u201cAzerbaijan launched a military assault as the climax of a nine-month military blockade the aim of which was to weaken the civilian population by starvation. The result was the ethno-religious cleansing of Armenian Christians from their historic homeland.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Eibner called on U.S. policymakers to act: \u201cThe Swiss Peace Initiative for Nagorno Karabakh offers exceptional possibilities for the United States to make good on President Trump\u2019s pledge and thereby contribute to a durable peace&#8230; It is also an opportunity for the United States to help reverse the ethno-religious cleansing of one of the world\u2019s oldest Christian communities and halt the erosion of the region\u2019s religious pluralism.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><u>Vartan Oskanian: The Right of Return is Law<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Former Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian, now coordinator of the Committee for the Defense of the Fundamental Rights of the People of Nagorno Karabakh, argued that the international community must uphold the International Court of Justice\u2019s ruling and press for return conditions rooted in rights and protections. \u201cThese are not merely local or ethnic grievances; they represent a direct challenge to international norms and the credibility of Western commitments to human rights and the rule of law.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He stressed the value of the Swiss process: \u201cThe Swiss forum is not about taking sides. It is not about granting legitimacy to one party over the other. It is about making space\u2014a neutral, principled space\u2014where silenced voices can be heard. Where both Azerbaijan and the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh can sit together and find a way forward.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In his opening remarks, Mark Milosch, Republican Staff Director for Congressman Chris Smith, noted that the Congressman held four hearings on Azerbaijan\u2019s ethnic cleansing.&nbsp; He stressed Rep. Smith\u2019s longstanding belief that \u201cthe ethnic Armenians have a human right to live in this land where Armenians have lived now for thousands of years. Nothing can ever take that away.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The ANCA\u2019s Alex Galitsky noted the urgent need for U.S. support for the Swiss Peace Initiative, particularly in the face of Azerbaijan\u2019s ongoing campaign to erase Armenian heritage and prevent the displaced population from returning.&nbsp; He encouraged Members of Congress to cosign a Congressional letter, led by the Congressional Armenian Caucus and backed by the ANCA, supporting Artsakh Armenians\u2019 right to return, citing support for the Swiss Peace Initiative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Swiss-led delegation of Vontobel, Reimann, Eibner, and Oskanian arrived in Washington DC earlier this week for a series of high level meetings with State Department and Congressional leaders and human rights advocates, in addition to the Congressional briefing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To learn more about the Swiss Peace Initiative and take action, visit: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.swisspeacekarabakh.com\/en\">www.swisspeacekarabakh.com\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">#####<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>The full video of the Capitol Hill Briefing:&nbsp;Swiss Peace Initiative for Nagorno-Karabakh is available on the ANCA YouTube Channel:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"Swiss Peace Initiative for Nagorno Karabakh\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/lSYqvNvWs64?start=75&#038;feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Statements by Capitol Hill Briefing participants:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dr. John Eibner, President, Christian Solidarity International<br><a href=\"https:\/\/anca.org\/assets\/pdf\/070825_DrEibner_CSIStatement.pdf\">https:\/\/anca.org\/assets\/pdf\/070825_DrEibner_CSIStatement.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Vartan Oskanian: coordinator of the Committee for the Defense of the Fundamental Rights of the People of Nagorno-Karabakh<br><a href=\"https:\/\/anca.org\/assets\/pdf\/070825_VartanOskanian_Statement.pdf\">https:\/\/anca.org\/assets\/pdf\/070825_VartanOskanian_Statement.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Lukas Reimann, Swiss MP:<br><a href=\"https:\/\/anca.org\/assets\/pdf\/070825_Reimann_Statement.pdf\">https:\/\/anca.org\/assets\/pdf\/070825_Reimann_Statement.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Erich Vontobel, Swiss MP:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/anca.org\/assets\/pdf\/070825_Vontobel_Statement.pdf\">https:\/\/anca.org\/assets\/pdf\/070825_Vontobel_Statement.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Bios of the Capitol Hill Briefing: Swiss Peace Initiative for Nagorno-Karabakh<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/anca.org\/assets\/pdf\/070825_Bios_SwissDelegation.pdf\">https:\/\/anca.org\/assets\/pdf\/070825_Bios_SwissDelegation.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Over 200 Congressional staffers, human rights advocates, and policy professionals attended today\u2019s panel discussion on the recently launched Swiss Peace Initiative WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 A standing-room-only audience of over 200 Congressional staffers, human rights advocates, and policy professionals gathered on Capitol Hill today for a Congressional briefing on the recently launched Swiss Peace Initiative for [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":23857,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[115],"tags":[126,382],"class_list":["post-23856","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-anca","tag-382"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.8 - 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